Ani Pema Chödrön

Photo of Ani Pema Chödrön by Robin Holland

Ani Pema Chödrön was born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown in 1936, in New York City. She attended Miss Porter's School in Connecticut and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. She taught as an elementary school teacher for many years in both New Mexico and California. Pema has two children and three grandchildren.

While in her mid-thirties, Ani Pema traveled to the French Alps and encountered Lama Chime Rinpoche, with whom she studied for several years. She became a novice nun in 1974 while studying with Lama Chime in London. His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa came to England at that time, and Ani Pema received her ordination from him.

Ani Pema first met her root guru, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in 1972. Lama Chime encouraged her to work with Rinpoche, and it was with him that she ultimately made her most profound connection, studying with him from 1974 until his death in 1987. At the request of the Sixteenth Karmapa, she received the full bikshuni ordination in the Chinese lineage of Buddhism in 1981 in Hong Kong.

Ani Pema served as the director of the Karma Dzong, in Boulder until moving in 1984 to rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to be the director of Gampo Abbey. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave her explicit instructions on establishing this monastery for western monks and nuns.

Ani Pema currently teaches in the United States and Canada and plans for an increased amount of time in solitary retreat under the guidance of Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Ani Pema is interested in helping establish Tibetan Buddhist monasticism in the West, as well in continuing her work with western Buddhists of all traditions, sharing ideas and teachings. She has written several books: "The Wisdom of No Escape", "Start Where You Are", "When Things Fall Apart", "The Places that Scare You", "No Time to Lose", "Practicing Peace in Times of War" and most recently "Taking the Leap - Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears". All are available from Shambhala Publications.

Long Life Prayer for Ani Pema Chödrön
written by the Very Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
at the request of  Khenmo Drölma, Thubten Saldon, and Ani Seltong Drönma

 

Out of the power of the truth of the Three Jewels and Roots,

The Gyalwang Rigpe Dorje took her under his kind care,

And the Trungpa Tulku Chökyi Gyatso nurtured her well,

      So she grew learned and developed

      Qualities, experience, and realization.  

Through her explanations of and writings about Dharma,

Her activity brings benefit to beings and the teachings.

May Ani Pema Chödrön live a long and stable life

      And be a cause for all to enjoy

      Great benefit and happiness! 

 

View video on Youtube of Life at Gampo Abbey narrated by Gampo Acharya Ani Pema Chodron.